In the early 1800s, many new nations emerged in Latin America as independence movements freed people from European rule. Creoles, european-descended latin americans who owned ranches, mines, and haciendas, were tired of being looked at as a lower class to the higher class European peninsulares. The population of Native American and European mestizos and mulattoes, African Europeans, became irritated by the fact that they were denied wealth, power, and social status that whites had.
Revolutionary Influences
Creoles read about Enlightenment ideas and watched North America overthrow British controll. The independence of North America spread among creoles. Women also called tertulias where they discussed and conversed independence and revolution. While the French Revoution was occurring, young creoles traveled throughout Europe and heard ideas of the Enlightenment. These ideas inspired them but most croeles in latin america were reluctant to act.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon's invasion of spain soon spred by word of mouth to the colonies in America. After Napoleon invaded Spain he placed his brother Joseph on the throne of Spain. Leaders in Latin American colonies saw this as a weakness in Spain's controll. They used this opportunity to gain independence from Spanish rule.
Latin American Revolutions in the 19th Century
Background
In the early 1800s, many new nations emerged in Latin America as independence movements freed people from European rule. Creoles, european-descended latin americans who owned ranches, mines, and haciendas, were tired of being looked at as a lower class to the higher class European peninsulares. The population of Native American and European mestizos and mulattoes, African Europeans, became irritated by the fact that they were denied wealth, power, and social status that whites had.Revolutionary Influences
Creoles read about Enlightenment ideas and watched North America overthrow British controll. The independence of North America spread among creoles. Women also called tertulias where they discussed and conversed independence and revolution. While the French Revoution was occurring, young creoles traveled throughout Europe and heard ideas of the Enlightenment. These ideas inspired them but most croeles in latin america were reluctant to act.Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon's invasion of spain soon spred by word of mouth to the colonies in America. After Napoleon invaded Spain he placed his brother Joseph on the throne of Spain. Leaders in Latin American colonies saw this as a weakness in Spain's controll. They used this opportunity to gain independence from Spanish rule.